About this Course
When John F. Kennedy entered the presidential limousine at Love Field in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963, he began his ride into history. That journey continues even today and we call it the Kennedy legacy. This course will explore the Presidency, assassination, and lasting legacy of President John F. Kennedy. Students will learn how JFK’s life, administration, and tragic death have influenced the general public, the media, and each of the nine U.S. presidents who followed. Understanding the Kennedy legacy and being able to identify elements of his legacy within the context of modern politics helps understand many of the vexing problems that developed over the last half century as well as many of the challenges that confront us today. November 22, 1963 was so powerful a moment that in the fifty years since the assassination, every U.S. President that followed JFK has used Kennedy’s words and actions in an effort to craft their own political image. Why does Kennedy’s influence persist, and will it continue? What are the effects? We’ll address these questions and more as we explore The Kennedy Half Century. Follow on Twitter: @JFKclass.
Globe

100% online course

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Beginner Level

Beginner Level

Clock

Approx. 10 hours to complete

Suggested: 9 hours of videos and quizzes
Comment Dots

English

Subtitles: English
Globe

100% online course

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Beginner Level

Beginner Level

Clock

Approx. 10 hours to complete

Suggested: 9 hours of videos and quizzes
Comment Dots

English

Subtitles: English

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

1

Section
Clock
2 hours to complete

John F. Kennedy's Rise to Power

...
Reading
9 videos (Total 106 min)
Video9 videos
Introduction19m
JFK: Rise to Power10m
Kennedy's Legislative Career8m
JFK Takes to the National Stage9m
Campaign for the Presidency9m
Religion and Politics17m
The 1960 Debates9m
Heading to Election Day7m
The 1960 Election13m

2

Section
Clock
2 hours to complete

The Kennedy Presidency and Assassination

...
Reading
11 videos (Total 133 min), 1 reading
Video11 videos
Kennedy's Inauguration: The Torch is Passed9m
Civil Rights17m
The Space Program6m
Containing Communism: The Bay of Pigs Disaster10m
The Berlin Crisis12m
The Cuban Missile Crisis Part 110m
The Cuban Missile Crisis Part 27m
The Assassination 10m
The Assassination: Parkland Hospital, a New President, & a National Funeral18m
The 50th Anniversary Ceremony in Dallas10m
Oswald20m
Reading1 readings
Resources10m

3

Section
Clock
3 hours to complete

The Kennedy Legacy Begins

...
Reading
13 videos (Total 161 min)
Video13 videos
The Assassination: Ballistic Evidence9m
The Assassination: Physical Evidence5m
The Warren Commission14m
The Mysterious Motorcycle20m
The Dictabelt12m
New Information Since the 50th15m
Conspiracy Theories I17m
Conspiracy Theories II12m
President Lyndon Johnson I7m
President Lyndon Johnson II12m
President Lyndon Johnson III10m
President Richard Nixon7m
President Gerald Ford14m

4

Section
Clock
2 hours to complete

The Kennedy Effect Over Fifty Years

...
Reading
11 videos (Total 113 min), 1 quiz
Video11 videos
President Jimmy Carter, Part One8m
President Jimmy Carter, Part Two11m
President Ronald Reagan I7m
President Ronald Reagan II7m
President Ronald Reagan III5m
President George H.W. Bush5m
President Bill Clinton13m
President George W. Bush10m
President Barack Obama16m
Conclusion: A Flame Eternal?16m
Who Was the Real JFK9m
Quiz1 practice exercises
Final20m
4.6

Top Reviews

By JN•Jul 5th 2017

Larry Sabato is a true genius in political thought. Great realizing that he is fascinated by John Kennedy as I am. There was technical difficulty in Coursera realizing that I had finished the course.

By KS•Oct 22nd 2015

I really loved this class! Professor Sabato taught this class so eloquently and so well. I have studied the JFK Presidency and Assassination for years, and I loved learning more from this course.

Instructor

Avatar

Professor Larry J. Sabato

Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Politics

About University of Virginia

A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders....

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.

  • If you pay for this course, you will have access to all of the features and content you need to earn a Course Certificate. If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. Note that the Course Certificate does not represent official academic credit from the partner institution offering the course.

  • Yes! Coursera provides financial aid to learners who would like to complete a course but cannot afford the course fee. To apply for aid, select "Learn more and apply" in the Financial Aid section below the "Enroll" button. You'll be prompted to complete a simple application; no other paperwork is required.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center

Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
© 2018 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play